A CITY schoolgirl has been turned down for a place at her local secondary despite a classroom expansion aimed at guaranteeing a desk for every local child.

A CITY schoolgirl has been turned down for a place at her local secondary despite a classroom expansion aimed at guaranteeing a desk for every local child.

Demi Leigh-Short, aged 11, has been refused a place at Castle Vale School even though she lives on the housing estate.

The school has become increasingly popular, resulting in the introduction of an additional class of 30 pupils from September 2003.

The move was introduced at the heavily oversubscribed school to prevent local primary age pupils having to travel several miles to find alternative places.

Castle Vale School was also forced to reduce its catchment area from 3,500 metres to 700 metres to give priority to children living on the estate.

That move came after it emerged that up to 50 children on the estate had failed to obtain a place.

Demi, who lives with her family in Bader Walk, Castle Vale, and attends the local Topcliffe Primary School, has instead been offered a place at The International School, in Tile Cross, from September.

City education officials said two years ago that they did not want a situation where children are required to make two or three bus journeys to get to school.

But Demi's mother Vanda, aged 30, said: "The International School is three bus journeys away and I am not prepared to send her there.

"We live on the estate, but the school said she was too far away and is seventh on the waiting list."

A city education spokeswoman said all sides had to abide by the decision of the independent appeal panel which dismissed the family's plea.

"There has been a high number of applications to Castle Vale this year by siblings of current pupils, who are a priority group for entry. We would urge Demi's mother to contact the admissions team to discuss her options, and to take up an available place. She can remain on Castle Vale's waiting list whilst at another school."